Doctor insights on:
Sample Treatment Plans For Autism

1

Combination:
The best therapy is individualized, and usually includes speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral therapy, often with an instructor in "applied behavioral analysis." while there's no quick-fix, good therapy is very effective in mild-to-moderate autism.
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ASD are a spectrum of disorders of varying degrees that are characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. Autism statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify around 1 in 68 American children as on the autism spectrum.
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2

Medications are used:
To treat irritability, aggression, anxiety, depression & adhd which occur more often in people with autism than in the general population.. They are effective & safe, usually in low doses. Arbaclofen will be marketed to treat social withdrawal in children with fragile x syndrome, about 30% of whom have autism. It is being studied for use of this core symptom in children with autism.
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3

At 28 years old:
Consider evaluation by developmental psychologist or other psychologist who is eperienced in working with autism spectrum disorder. I really couldn't begin to tell you how to diagnose yourself with ASD & how to treat it in 400 characters or less.
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4

Here is a place to start:
Www. Lifescript. Com/.../a-autism-la-new-orleans. Aspx find a doctor who treats or diagnoses autism in new orleans, la. You can also get referrals from: support. Autism-society. Org/site/clubs? Club_id=1170;pg=main new orleans, la 70130. .. The autism society of greater new orleans appreciates donations in support of our mission to provide information and referrals, . ..
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5

Multi-dimensional:
Autism manifests in various forms, probably has various causes, and is extremely complex to treat. Behavioral and social interventions are important, and increasingly psychoactive medications play an important role. These meds need be carefully selected & titrated for the individual, possibly addressing such features as anxiety, anger, mood, hyperactivity, etc.
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6

Difficult issues:
These are difficult cases, but in conjunction with other professionals working together, yes there can be improvement. These children need a wide variety of supports & care, including nutritional, behavioral, educational, and medical. I suggest you read "the impossible cure" by dr. Amy lansky. She recounts the story of her own son's treatment with homeopathy, after conventional efforts failed.
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7

As a matter of fact,:
Not in the mainstream community, no. Developmental/behavioral pediatrics is a cognitive subspecialty &, therefore, labor-intensive, as are neuropsychology, psychology, psychiatry, & behavioral therapy. We are not well-paid by insurance companies for our time. If we had a brain-o-scope & could do a 12-minute procedure, it'd be a different story. The diagnosis has broadened but is still valid.
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8

A None I'm aware of:
Autism, or the expanded spectrum, label placed on kids or adults with behaviors & differences in function that fit a specific pattern. There is no medication that I'm aware of for autism, although many have been tried over the years. Each patient may have individual needs based on testing & exam that would deserve medications. These would be prescribed & monitored on a case by case basis.
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9

Start by making sure:
That he has the funding & services he needs: ssi, medicaid, adult health & mental health services, exercise, etc I agree with a team evaluation at a specialty clinic, with neuropsychological testing, medical & neurological assessment, a genetic microarray & dna probe for fragile x (if never done), hearing & vision. Ipads are useful to teach non-verbal communication, but good therapists are key.
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10

Find the closest:
Specialist on http://www. Autism-india. Org/afa_autisminindia. Html to assess your brother's current levels of cognitive, adaptive & social functioning & search for genetic or other medical causes of his unfortunate lack of progress. Comparative genomic hybridization & a dna probe for fragile x are the current genetic tests. Research on autism is done in calcutta & other large cities.
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11

Multi-dimensional:
Autism manifests in various forms, probably has various causes, & is extremely complex to treat. Behavioral & social interventions are important, & increasingly psychoactive medications play an important role. These meds need be carefully selected & titrated for the individual, possibly addressing such features as anxiety, anger, mood, hyperactivity, etc. See a true expert& get the right rx.
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12

Who Knows??:
There is no stem cell treatment presently approved for the treatment of autism. Although you may read of certain claims on the web, there is no peer reviewed evidence this will benefit any affected kid. Beware of the highly polished snake oil salesmen.
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13

Yes:
A randomized, controlled study of the early start denver model, a comprehensive developmental behavioral intervention, showed, if started at <30 mos. & continued for 2 yrs., improvement in iq, adaptive behavior & degree of autism. Aba done 25-40 hrs./wk shows qualitative improvement even in kids without dramatic improvement as a result of comorbid intellectual disability.
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14

Are you kidding?:
It sounds preposterous. Autistic patients are highly rigid & anxious. Taking a trip to the supermarket is overwhelming - so taking an "acid trip" would be especially torturous for autistics. I doubt that even timothy leary himself would have advanced such an idea - even during one of his own trips!
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18

See below::
Intervention involves behavioral treatments, medicines or both. Many persons with autism have additional medical conditions such as sleep disturbance, seizures and gastrointestinal (GI) distress. Addressing these conditions can improve attention, learning and related behaviors. Natural treatments have not been found to significantly/substantially improve autism.
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20

Ridiculous:
To say that testimonies, stories and anecdotes are a source of proof, despite not holding up to scientific journal standards is ridiculous. These standards exist in order to ascertain the truth as best we are able. Look for help from these proven sources of therapy, not unproven potentially dangerous therapies, such as chelation.
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21

NO:
The condition changes over time and has a tendency to improve some with just loving support. Various therapies help families suppress troublesome behavior and help the kid with communicating needs. Research is finding evidence of genetic changes in these kids, so accept this as more like a Down Syndrome than a bad ear infection. You do the best with what you have.
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25

Family training in:
Behavioral techniques is very effective if parents & other family members follow through consistently by ignoring maladaptive behaviors & immediately reinforcing adaptive behaviors, especially in younger children who have acquired language skills. See FSU's study funded by Autism Speaks: https://www. Autismspeaks. Org/science/science-news/parent-training-program-shows-clear-gains-toddlers-autism.
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26

It's not helpful:
The point of speech/language therapy for kids with ASD is not only to increase expressive language, it's to increase social communication, conversational turn-taking in real life situations with real human beings whose emotional & verbal response are neither scripted nor always expected. The only thing worse would be to allow hours of screen time or Baby Einstein videos. Speech = articulation.
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27

Sometimes:
Aba is one behavioral therapy shown to be effective in helping with asd. There are newer, more developmentally based therapies also showing promise, such as play project (floortime), son rise and rdi - relationship development intervention. The key factor as a parent is to research the various approaches and determine which seems to best fit your child. And don't be afraid to change, if needed.
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28

Autism:
The spectrum of autism is very broad. Therapies can range from talking to behavior shaping. For young adults as well as children, social skills and language communication skills should be targeted for improvement.
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30

No:
ABA is much more than floor time. While floor time, playing with your child on their term, is valuable for any child, ABA is a more structured and intensive process that is individualized to the child, understands and addresses the antecedents to behaviors that impede learning, is based on solid science, learning theory, and promotes skills that generalize into every aspect of the child's life. Http://www. Autismsupportnetwork. Com/news/what-aba-now-really-autism-33299272
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A neurodevelopmental disorder affecting three areas: abnormal socialization, communication, and restricted interests with repetitive patterns of behavior. It is usually detected in the first two years of life. Cause is unknown but strong evidence points to an interplay between genetic and environmental factors.
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